Retinal Vein Occlusion

About RVO

A retinal vein occlusion (RVO) occurs when one of the veins that drains blood from the retina in the back of your eye becomes blocked. A blocked retinal vein damages the retinal blood vessels and can lead to hemorrhage (bleeding), impaired blood flow, and leakage of fluid and blood components (hard exudates) into the retina. RVO can cause visual impairment in four ways:

Blood and hard exudates can directly interfere with retinal function.

Abnormal fluid can accumulate in the retina, leading to thickening and the presence of cyst-like fluid collections that distort normal retinal architecture. This is called cystoid macular edema(CME).

Inadequate blood flow to the retina, which is called ischemia

Abnormal blood vessels can grow from the surface of the retina. This is called neovascularization. These fragile blood vessels can bleed and form damaging scar tissue. Sometimes, these abnormal blood vessels can grow on the iris and drainage canals in the eye, leading to increased eye pressure (neovascular glaucoma).

Our board-certified ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants of Houston are experienced and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal vein occlusions.

High Blood Pressure and Retinal Vein Occlusions

Causes and Symptoms

Diabetes, high blood pressure, poorly controlled cholesterol and smoking can all increase a patient’s risk of RVO. Many other conditions can cause RVO, including glaucoma, inflammation and blood clotting disorders (hypercoaguable states). Depending on your clinical situation, you may need to be evaluated for these less common conditions.

The most common symptoms of RVO include:

Blurred and distorted central vision

Dim vision

Decreased sensitivity to light

Sometimes, however, patients with CRVO or BRVO experience no symptoms.

In addition to treatment of your eye, if you have CRVO or BRVO, it is very important that you work with your primary care physician to optimally control your cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and diabetes.

Treat RVO Today

The board-certified retinal specialists at Retinal Consultants of Houston work with each patient to diagnose and treat retinal vein occlusion. If found early, RVO can be treated so that further blockage of the veins to the retina do not progress and cause further damage. Our Houston, TX retina practice offers numerous locations, each equipped to accurately and effectively diagnose, treat, and help manage RVO. Please call one of our area centers to schedule your appointment.

Retina Consultants of Houston is the largest retina-only ophthalmology practice in Texas with 2 certified research centers and is one of the most respected in the United States. Our practice is also home to the Greater Houston Retina Research Center, one of the country’s leading sites for retinal research. All Retina Consultants of Houston physicians are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and specialize exclusively in diseases and surgery of the retina, vitreous, and macula. In addition, we have an ocular oncology division, which focuses on cancer treatments for the eye. Our surgeons have studied at some of the most notorious institutions in the nation and all have graduated at the very top of their classes.